Imposter (22 page)

“Ye-s.” Eve’s teeth chattered as she responded.  “You didn’t answer my question.  Is Burke all right?  How do I know you aren’t bluffing?  That you even know where he is?”

“He’s at a warehouse at Ten Little Road.”

Eve’s insides seemed to quiver as her caller recited the address for Burke’s meeting with Matt Deligne.

“You have ten minutes, Dr. Collins.  Keep me waiting and Burke will be killed.”

An instant later, Eve’s phone was silent.

Tears welled in Eve’s eyes.  They were useless and she forced them back.  She wanted to retrieve Burke’s spare gun from the armoire but the man who’d called her was no fool. She would not be able to keep a gun hidden from him.  She would have to leave the weapon behind.  

She left the cabin.  She strode over the rocks and plant life that made up the forest floor.  She had to make contact with her caller on time, show him that she’d followed his instructions and make sure that he didn’t harm Burke.

A bird swooped up from a branch.  Eve gasped.   Her heart was racing and it pounded harder.  Her caller had been using a device that garbled his voice.  No way for her to identify him. It didn’t matter now.  She’d soon be face-to- face with him.

John. 
John.
She picked up her pace.  Fear that her caller would make good on his threat hastened her footsteps.

In her urgency, she didn’t see a rock that jutted up from the ground.  Her foot caught and she fell forward, onto her hands and knees.  She gasped as one palm scraped something that drew blood. 

Without a glance at her injury, she pushed back the hair that had fallen across her face like a curtain.  When she glanced  up, it was into a familiar face.

“Mr. Lanski?”

Eve felt a surge of joy at seeing Lanski’s familiar face that for an instant she didn’t question his presence in the woods behind Burke’s cabin.  Then she noticed the semi-automatic weapon he’d trained on her.  She shook her head, not wanting to believe what she was seeing about the man standing in front of her. 

Lanski laughed.  “No doubt you’re confused.  I’m quite the actor aren’t I?”  He laughed again, clearly proud of himself. 

“All along it’s been you?”  Eve’s voice came out weak.

“Why do you say it like that?”  Lanski’s mirth vanished, replaced by anger.  “Don’t you think I’m capable of this?  Of outsmarting the mighty Burke?”

Lanski’s sudden mood change sent another burst of fear through Eve.

“No one at the conference tampered with your insulin,” Lanski went on. 
“I
made the switch the day before when Richard died, while Burke was occupied speaking with you.
I
was Richard’s accomplice.
I
contacted him about developing the formula.  The plan was
mine
all along.” Lanski puffed out his chest with self-importance. “All was going well until Burke found out about the chemical weapon and that Richard wasn’t working alone.  I covered my tracks.  I don’t know how Burke found out Richard had an accomplice.”  Lanski clenched his fists.  “After that, I had to pretend to investigate.  I had to protect myself and provide Burke with an accomplice. You were perfect for the role, Dr. Collins.  Richard never named you.  I set that up.  Spoon fed it to Burke.” Lanski sneered. “Once the deal was made, I intended to dispose of Richard, and you.  You and Richard were meant to be my scapegoats.” 

“You killed Richard?”

“No.” Lanski’s mouth tightened. “It was heart failure, as I said. I wouldn’t have killed him then.  I still had use for him.  I needed him to deliver the formula and to attend the meeting with the buyer. To answer any questions about the formula.  Chemistry isn’t my specialty.” Lanski flushed at the admission.  “Richard’s death was inconvenient.”

“And left you without the formula,” Eve said. 

   “I set up the alternate meeting at the hotel and sent Burke the text message so I could search your cottage.”  Lanski smirked. “I also wanted to mess with his head.  Show him that he isn’t infallible. That he could be duped.  And he fell for it, like a fish on the line. But the formula wasn’t there.” Lanski’s smile slipped. “Burke thought he was so clever. We’ll see if he still thinks so when this is day is done.”

Eve’s breathing quickened.  “Is he all right?”

Lanski laughed.  “All a bluff.  I never had anyone ready to kill Burke.  He’s alive.  For now.  I’d love to go on telling you what fools you and Burke have been, but the thing of it is, we need to leave here now.  We have more to do.”

A cold sweat broke out on Eve’s skin.  “So many people will die if that formula is used? How can you do this?”

Lanski seized her arm.  “Money.  A whole lot of money.  I promised this formula to  people I work for.  They’re not the type to accept a shrug and an apology if I don’t deliver.  I’ll be strung up by me - shall we say - intimate parts - if I don’t give them what they’re paying for.  I don’t plan on allowing that to happen.  Come on.”

“You won’t get away with this.”

“Oh, but I will.  I already have.  I’ve been monitoring your phone calls. Another mistake the great Burke made.  I overheard him tell you that Agent Deligne is the one you’ve been chasing.” Lanski raised his head, basking in the bright sunlight.  “By the time Burke learns of his mistake, it will be too late. All evidence points to you and Patterson. With Patterson now unable to refute his claim and exonerate you, you will take the wrap.  You’re guilty in the eyes of my superiors and my orders are to bring you in.”  He bared his teeth in a parody of a smile.  “Too bad we won’t be doing that.  But, if it matters to you, you will be seeing Burke one more time when he brings me the formula.  For the last time.” 

Again, fear for Burke asserted itself and Eve shivered.  “Burke will have back up.  He won’t meet with you alone.”

“He cannot involve the Agency.  His superiors would never allow him to use the formula as a bargaining tool.  He’s been in the Intelligence game long enough to know that.  Oh, no, he’s on his own if he wants to save your life.  And he knows what kind of adversary I am, so he won’t doubt when I say I will kill you if he doesn’t deliver. That’s exactly what he will do, Dr. Collins.  He will deliver the formula to me.”  Lanski’s gaze narrowed.   His features pulled taut in anger.  He seized her by one shoulder and gave her a shake that knocked her teeth together.  “He’ll do exactly that.” His voice dripped venom.  “Exactly what I tell him to do. He will betray his agency and his country and hand the formula to me.  And then he’ll die because of it.”

Chapter Fourteen
 

Eve was gone
.

Burke looked about him, moving his head from side to side like a wild man.  Had she been taken?  That was the only explanation that made sense and Burke’s mouth went dry at the prospect of her being in the hands of the man who wanted her dead.

Lanski.

How could he have misjudged his second in command?  Trusted him. Burke was trained to spot a traitor.  He knew the signs.  He’d missed them and now his lapse could cost Eve her life.   His mouth went dry at that thought and left him as weak as a newborn colt.

Burke’s cell phone rang.  Caller ID read Eve.  His heart thumped.  But of course it wasn’t Eve calling but Lanski.

“Hello, Burke.” 

“I want to speak with Eve.”

“I’m sure you do.  But you’re no longer calling the shots.  From now on, you’ll do as I tell you.  Whatever I tell you.”

“Okay.” Lanski was riding high on his power. Burke played to his second in command, deliberately making his tone desperate, defeated.  “You’re in charge.”

“You’d do well not to forget if you want to keep Eve alive.”

Sweat broke out on Burke’s forehead. 

“Let me talk with her. Please.”

Lanski laughed.  “Oh, I like it when you beg. Ask me again, just like that and I may grant your request.”   

“Please,” Burke repeated.

Lanski laughed loud.  An instant later, Eve was on the line.

“Burke - don’t do--” Eve cried out. 

“Eve!”

“She’s still breathing.  For the moment.  You shouldn’t have tried to undermine me, Dr. Collins.  I’m going to have to teach you not to do that again.”

Burke’s blood chilled.  He needed to change tactics, return Lanski’s focus to him and away from Eve. “Lanski.  Still the coward. Still hiding.  Come out and face me.  If you have the guts . . . ”

“Oh, I’ll face you! Very soon.  Make no mistake about that! You have something I want

and I intend to get it.”

“The formula.”

“Bingo. You’ll get the lady doc back alive when I get the formula.”

“How do I know you won’t kill her as soon as we end this call?”

“You don’t.  But you’ll take that chance.  If you don’t, I’ll kill her for sure.”

Burke knew Lanski had him.  He tried to calm his racing heart.  “Where and when?”

“The warehouse where you met Deligne suits me.”

“If Eve isn’t at the trade or isn’t in good health, I will destroy the formula before your eyes.  Your associates won’t take kindly to that.  Hear me, Lanski.  If you hurt her, I will leave you to your associates and let them mete out their justice on you.  Be clear on that.”

“You’re in no position to issue threats, Burke.” 

But Burke heard a tremor in Lanski’s voice and knew he’d struck a nerve. 

“Two hours,” Lanski said.           

Burke’s hand trembled as he closed his phone.  If he played this wrong, Eve would die.  He shut his eyes tight, battling back fear that threatened to cripple him.

One hour later, he was outside the cabin, getting ready to leave for the meet with Lanski when a boat came into view.  As it neared, Burke made out a logo for a marina across the lake that rented boats and, he saw Eve, her beautiful hair blowing in the breeze.   

She was alive and standing on her own two feet beside Lanski.  Whatever he’d done with her, he hadn’t hurt her badly enough that she couldn’t stand.  Burke released a deep breath of relief and wiped the sweat that had been trickling down his neck since Lanski’s phone call.

Eve was wearing a trench coat.  Overly large.  A man’s coat.  As Lanski docked the boat, Burke could see that Eve stood flush against her captor.  He felt a rush of fear that shook him, thinking maybe her standing upright beside Lanski was nothing more than a pose - maybe she needed Lanski to prop her up and couldn’t stand unaided.  As those thoughts raced through his mind, overpowering all other thoughts and emotions, Lanski stepped out of the boat onto the dock. Eve remained standing, though as Burke could now see, she was slightly bent over at the waist, as if unable to stand erect.

“Eve!”

Her gaze met his through the windshield.  She didn’t respond.

“Where is the formula, Burke?”

“Eve!”  Burke called out.

“I asked you a question,” Lanski said.

Burke focused on Lanski.  “So you did.”  He turned to Eve again.  “Eve, are you all right?”

“John.” 

Her voice quavered.

“Why aren’t you standing upright?”

Lanski said, “She won’t be standing at all if you don’t--”